Marc Jacobs AS SEXY AS IT MAY APPEAR ON THE RUNWAY, LEATHER PANTS (OR JACKETS FOR THAT MATTER) CAN ONLY BE PULLED OFF AS EVENING WEAR IN SAIGON, AND THAT TOO AT COOL INDOOR TEMPERATURES. IF THAT IS POSSIBLE THEN INVEST IN A PAIR OF LEATHER PANTS AS THEY ARE ULTRA CHIC AND DON’T STAY WITHIN THE BLACK/TAN/WHITE PALETTE. Balenciaga 32 asialife HCMC
Brioni THERE’S TRUTH TO THE ADAGE THAT “THE NUMBER ONE RULE IN FASHION IS THAT THERE ARE NO RULES” BUT ONE MUST FIND BALANCE IN THEIR CHOICE OF DRESSING. over your body. Think chiffon prints (or plains) accented with a few details (cut out sleeves which are a big trend for SS11 or pleats) as dresses for evening wear. Long Is Back Fashion is cyclical and what is in one day is out the next—only to resurface a few years later. This spring and summer bid farewell to the mini and prepare for the midi or maxi skirt. We saw this at Chloe with sheer long skirts, veiled ones at Givenchy and ballerinaskirts at Alexander McQueen. Brioni too put up a fabulous collection featuring midis. These can easily be worn with slightly more form fitting tops for the graceful bodied or slightly loose tops (but not too loose) for the more conservative amongst us. Those wanting to wear the sheer midi skirt can opt for a short slip inside and pair it with a more skin revealing top. To add more shape to the flowing skirt, wear a belt, big bulky ones are hot this coming season. Romancing The Bohemian The Bohemian look never goes out of style— thankfully or not depending on which side of the divide you fall into but for Saigon, it’s a relatively easy look to replicate. Think vintage and mix it up with more trendy hippie chic for a laid-back casual look. The midi or maxi dress in florals is a great example of how to go boho without looking like you tried too hard. Play with lace, a major SS11 trend on the runways, in either peasant tops or detailed in shirts—as we saw in Marc Jacobs’ collection. Too Low To Get Under The flat shoe, a woman’s real best friend, is ideal spring summer footwear and will provide a respite from the sky-high heels one has stuffed their toes into. This is a wonderful opportunity to take a break and give your feet breathing room as the flat sole as well as the kitten heel are the big trends next season. Balenciaga had delicate sandals, Dolce & Gabbana had criss crossed sandals, and the ballet shoe (another classic) made its appearance on the runways. Saigon has a plethora of choices in bejeweled, delicate and fun flats and kitten heels. Snake Charmer Strictly for the brave hearted, leather was a star fabric on the Parisian runways. Jean- Paul Gaultier, closing his seven years at Hermes, showed skin tight leather pants, tight leather tops featured in Celine’s summer line, Balenciaga created fun leather jackets in blues and Burberry’s leatherstudded jacket gave off a sophisticated biker chic vibe on the runways. As sexy as it may appear on the runway, leather pants (or jackets for that matter) can only be pulled off as evening wear in Saigon, and that too at cool indoor temperatures. If that is possible then invest in a pair of leather pants as they are ultra chic and don’t stay within the black/ tan/white palette; be adventurous and fuse colours into one outfit to make a smashing appearance. It is easy to get distracted by many things in our quest to look fashionable—especially when trying to replicate the latest collections, which have ditched previous minimalistic trends and are waking from their austerechic slumber. Instead of going all punk, goth, boho or Shanghai chic, choose elements, details that appeal to you and build on from there. Play with colours, fabrics, textures and lengths until you feel you’ve got a look that works for you, is comfortable and above all, looks luxurious. asialife HCMC 33